Winter Olympics should be a fun ride

#TeamTennessee has high aspirations for what sport they would compete in to bring home the gold. USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee staffers Joe Rexrode, Geoff Calkins and Andrew Nelles will be covering the 2018 Winter Olympics from PyeongChang.
Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Germany defenseman Christian Ehrhoff (10) battles for the puck with Russia forward Ivan Telegin (7) during the third period in the men's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Nikita Gusev (97) celebrates after scoring a goal against Germany during the third period in the men's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Roman Horak (51) reaches for the puck ahead of Russia defenseman Vyacheslav Voinov (26) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Kirill Kaprizov (77) battles for the puck with Czech Republic forward Jan Kovar (43) during the third period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Germany forward Felix Schutz (55) is called for a boarding against Canada defenseman Maxim Noreau (56) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada goaltender Kevin Poulin (31) gives up a goal to Germany forward Brooks Macek (not pictured) during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Germany forward Brooks Macek (12) celebrates with Yannic Seidenberg (36) after scoring a goal against Canada during the first period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Rene Bourque (17) battles for the puck with Germany forward Marcel Goc (57) during the third period in the men's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada players, from left, Rebecca Johnston, Laura Stacey, and Laura Fortino, react after losing to the United States in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Madeline Rooney (35) gives up a goal to Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (not pictured) during the second period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Gigi Marvin (19) dives for the puck between Canada defenseman Renata Fast (14) and forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates after scoring a goal past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) deflects the puck past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) for a goal during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates a goal against Canada during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) attempts a wrap around against Canada forward Emily Clark (26) during the third period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) celebrates with Emily Pfalzer (8) after scoring a goal against Canada during the third period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jocelyne Lamoureux (17) celebrates a goal in a shootout against Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States players snap a photo of themselves after defeating Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) reacts after playing Czech Republic in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) and defender Matt Gilroy (97) react after the game against Czech Republic of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) makes a save on Czech Republic in overtime of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States defenseman Ryan Gunderson (13) works to clear the puck from the goal against Czech Republic in the first period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic goaltender Pavel Francouz (33) is unable to stop a shot for a goal by United States forward Jim Slater (19) in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jim Slater (19) shoots the puck past Czech Republic defenseman Ondrej Nemec (23) for a goal in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jim Slater (19) celebrates after he scores a goal on the Czech Republic in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic defenseman Ondrej Nemec (23) and United States forward Jim Slater (19) battle for the puck in the second period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Petr Koukal (42) slides into the net of United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) in the third period of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Martin Erat (91) plays the puck in overtime against United States of the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti (22) reacts after playing Czech Republic in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic goaltender Pavel Francouz (33) greets fans after playing the United States in the men's ice hockey quarterfinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) fall to the ice as they perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) fall to the ice as they perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena. , Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Fans take a nap as the Olympic Athletes from Russia face Canada in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Danielle Cameranesi (24) celebrates a goal against Finland in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Gigi Marvin (19) celebrates a goal against Finland in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

The Olympic Athletes from Russia's Olga Sosina (18) walks off the ice after losing to Canada in the women's ice hockey semifinals during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Wojciech Wolski (8) hits the glass in the second period against Republic of Korea during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Mason Raymond (21) tries unsuccessfully to knock the puck into the goal over Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) in the second period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada goaltender Kevin Poulin (31) makes a save on a Republic of Korea shot in the third period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea forward Brock Radunske (25) battles for the puck against Canada forward Mason Raymond (21) in the first period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Czech Republic forward Jiri Sekac (64) passes the puck back along the boards against Canada in the third period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia forward Nikolai Prokhorkin (74) scores a goal past United States goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) in the first period during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Switzerland forward Pius Suter (44) scores a goal past Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) in the third period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea goaltender Matt Dalton (1) fails to stop a goal from being scored by Switzerland defenseman Felicien du Bois (13) in the second period during men's ice hockey Group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia forward Pavel Datsyuk (13) reaches for the puck in the first period against USA during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Troy Terry (23) battles for the puck with Olympic Athlete from Russia defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich (55) in the second period during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia fans celebrate as the players leave the ice after defeating USA during men's ice hockey Group B play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Peter Davidovitch of Chicago, Ill., watches warmups prior to a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S. defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti (22) and Slovakia forward Matej Paulovic (67) fight for the puck in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S. defenseman Matt Gilroy (97) is checked into the boards by Slovakia forward Milos Bubela (17) in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

U.S> goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) tries to cover the puck as in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Slovakia defenseman Juraj Valach (16) takes down United States forward Garrett Roe (11) in a hockey game between the U.S. and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete of Russia forward Ilya Kovalchuk (71) celebrates his goal during the first period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete of Russia defenseman Artyom Zub (2) and Slovenia forward Jan Mursak (39) battle for the puck during the second period at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athletes of Russia fans cheer after their fourth goal during the second period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. , Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athletes of Russia fans cheer after their fifth goal during the second period against Slovenia at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Patrick Thoresen (41) celebrates his goal against Finland in the first period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland forward Julius Junttila (13) battles for the puck with Norway defenseman Stefan Espeland (17) in the second period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland defenseman Juuso Hietanen (38) battles for the puck with Norway forward Mathis Olimb (46) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

The puck bounces up between Norway forward Mats Rosseli Olsen (51) and Finland goaltender Mikko Koskinen (19) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Ken Andre Olimb (40) battles for the puck with Finland defenseman Atte Ohtamaa (55) in the third period during men's ice hockey group C play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Slovakia forward Andrej Kudrna (18) scores as U.S. goaltender Ryan Zapolski (30) cannot make the save as the puck finds the back of the net in a hockey game between the United Sates of America and Slovakia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Feb 15, 2018; Gangneung, South Korea; North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles, Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Finland defenseman Atte Ohtamaa (55) dives for the puck in a hockey game between Finland and Germany during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Kristian Forsberg (26) holds his bloody nose during the second period against Sweden at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Korea defenseman Won Jun Kim (6) looks for the puck against Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Norway forward Patrick Thoresen (41) moves the puck under pressure by Sweden defenseman Staffan Kronwall (4) during the second period at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennesssean

North Korean Cheerleaders at the game between Korea and the Czech Republic in Men's Hockey Group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) heads out to the ice before women's hockey group A play against Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) keeps an eye on the puck as it sails in the air in a hockey game between the United States and the Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) wears a painted helmet in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Finland forward Emma Nuutinen (22) looks on as Canada forward Blayre Turnbull (40) passes the puck during a hockey game between Canada and Finland at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) tries to cover the puck while players crash the net in a hockey game between the United States and the Olympic Athletes from Russia during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) shoots the puck against Olympic Athlete from Russia goaltender Valeria Tarakanova (1) in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Jocelyne Lamoureux (17) celebrates scoring a goal against Olympic Athletes from Russia in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Yulia Galysheva (KZA) reacts after being announced as the bronze medalist during the medals ceremony for the ladies' moguls freestyle skiing event in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

David Gleirscher (AUT), center, reacts after being announced as the gold medalist during the ceremony for the men's singles luge event as silver medalist Chris Mazdzer (USA), left, and bronze medalist Johannes Ludwig (GER) look on in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Team Canada jumps onto the podium after being announced as the gold medalists during the medals ceremony for the figure skating team event in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Medals Plaza. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Kendall Coyne (26) celebrates after scoring a goal against Finland during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Olympic athletes from Russia huddle before the game against Canada in women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

United States forward Monique Lamoureux-Morando (7) scores a goal against Finland during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Russia goaltender Nadezhda Morozova (92) covers the puck against Canada during women's hockey group A play in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Canada forward Rebecca Johnston (6) celebrates a goal against Olympic Athletes from Russia during women's hockey group A play during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

A member of a group from North Korea wears a North Korean flag pin before women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer after women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters, bottom, walk to their seats near South Korean fans, top, before women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer during women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

North Korean supporters cheer during women's ice hockey Group B play between Switzerland and the combined Koreas in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Kwandong Hockey Centre. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

A: Actually, it’s warming up. Temperatures are expected to reach the 30s and 40s in the coming days. But that will not help those poor saps, I mean, lucky few who have to sit through the Opening Ceremony Friday night in an open-air stadium.

Q: It’s not a hot ticket?

A: Har. But apparently not. Parking is 20 minutes away from the stadium. There are warming huts along the walk. Attendees will be given a kit that includes a “hotpack set,” a set of four “hand hotpacks,” a “cushion hotpack” and a blanket.

Q: Will the stadium be full?

A: Here’s Hee-beom, president of the organizing committee: “We will sell 100 percent of our tickets and also have plan B for the no shows.” So, yes, the stadium will be full, even if they have to build snowmen.

Q: Why did they put it in Pyeongchang anyway? And is it Pyeonchang or PyeonChang?

A: The place used to be called Pyonchang. But people confused it with Pyonyang, the capitol of North Korea. So they added an “e” and capitalized the “C” and most news agencies decided to ignore the capitalization part.

Q: But why put an Olympics 80 miles from the world’s most heavily guarded border?

A That was part of the pitch, actually. Bring the Olympic spirit to the DMZ. Watch peace flourish.

Q: How’s it working?

A: North Korea is holding a massive military parade. Donald Trump is talking about a military parade of his own. Peace is not yet flourishing.

Q: Does this create a shadow over the Games?

A: Oddly, not at all. I’ve talked to a handful of South Koreans about the perils, and they’ve all shrugged and said they’re used to it. They’ve been hearing about threat of North Korea ever since they were born. They live their lives. What choice do they have? They seem more concerned about the norovirus.

A man sanitizes his hands at the entrance to the media cafeteria in Gangneung, South Korea, Feb. 7. South Korean authorities deployed 900 military personnel at the Pyeongchang Olympics on Tuesday after the security force was depleted by an outbreak of norovirus.(Photo: Paul Chiasson, AP)

Q: Speaking of which, how bad is it?

A: Think of the Olympics as a really cold cruise ship. There are a lot of people packed into a small area, eating at all the same places. There are signs everywhere reminding people to use disinfectant and wash their hands. Organizers have sent home 1,200 workers who may have been exposed to the virus. Here’s hoping it works or the Olympic rings may be redeployed as toilet seats.

Q: Do Americans care about these Olympics?

A: My theory is that nobody cares about the Olympics until the moment they begin. Nobody cared about the Rio Olympics a day before they began, and then suddenly the whole country was talking about Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte.

Q: Can South Korea put on a successful Games?

A: Sure. It’s South Korea. After the Korean War ended, a third of the citizens were homeless. Now the country has the world’s 11th biggest economy and one of its most stable democracies. This is a can-do place, a place that takes pride in the fact that it is one of a handful of countries to host the Winter Olympics, the Summer Olympics and the World Cup. Here's one small example: In the Media Village, there is a door that isn't working and the sign on it says, not "Broken," but "Fixing." That may as well be the motto of the entire country.

Q: So you’re not cynical about the Olympics?

A: At some level, given the persistent corruption, given the massive expenditures for facilities, it’s impossible not to be cynical. But I’m not cynical about the volunteers. I’m not cynical about the athletes. I’m not cynical about Chloe Kim, an American halfpipe athlete, whose father immigrated to the United States from Korea in 1982 with $800 in his pocket and — in true American fashion — built a career and a life. Now the daughter returns to her parents' country seeking a gold medal. How perfectly symmetrical is that? So never mind the cold, the norovirus, or the nearby military parade. In the words of America’s first-generation halfpipe star, “I’m feeling nothing but excitement. It should be a fun ride.”